Building block



1,670,286 R. STEPPE BUILDING BLOCK Filed Feb. 6, 1926 J1\ w1 If R. sfeppz mlys Patented May 15, 1928.

PA LTLENT OFFICE.

RAOUL STEPPE, 'OF NIEUK-ERKE-WAES, BELGIUM.

"BUILDING 'IBLOGK.

. Applicationfi-led February 6,!926, Serial No 86,503, and in Belgium February-4, 1925.

f Thisinvention relates -to the building indastryand haspmore especially for its object, a new and improved constructive form of agglomerated blocks :which, when juxtaposited,- will constitute: a: compact" whole, reinforced by continuous or noncontmuous metal-bars, both vertically sand horizontally.

This invention chiefly 'conten'iplates to obtain a theoretically. perfect arrangement of the reinforcement-bars, in so for as the vertical reinforcement assists 'in withstanding lateral thrust' or stresses in any 'direction.

iT his result isobtained by providing the blocks with vertical perforations arranged alternately on both :sides of the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the blocks. Owing to this arrangement, the reinforcement bars or rods shall be alternatelylocated on both sides of themedian vertical plane-ofthe wall.

{TlllllVQHlTlOl'l also provides the means for facilitating the location of the vertical reinforcement bars or rods, by giving the perforations receiving same, a much larger section than the cross-section of said rods. The empty .space around the reinforcement is thenfilled with concrete or any suitable binding-material. Besides, such perforations have the advantage of producing after the introduction of binding material, assembling projections between the successive layers of blocks.

Last, this invention contemplates suitable constructive forms of consolidation blocks and of corner-blocks for strengthening-pillars, partition walls, corner walls and the like.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example, some execution forms of this invention. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a block-unit.

Fig. 2 is a front view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a half-block.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate blocks for strengthening-pillars, for partition-walls and for walls-heads.

Figs. 6 and 7 show two successive layers of blocks for wall with strengthening pillar.

Figs. 8 and 9 are two successive layers of blocks for corner walls.

Similar reference figures relate to similar parts in the drawings.

Referring to the drawing: the block-unit (or brick) 1 has the same width as the with binding material and to rec-eiveyi'f desired" a metal rod '3; by juxtapositing blocks 1 and half-blocks (or half-bricks) 1 each layer will show a continuous groove orchannel 2 into which canbelaid a continuous reinforcement rod or bar 3. Every block unit 1 presents two'rectangular vertical perforations or holes 5, passing com pletely throi'lgh same; said holes are arranged one on each side ofthe median groove or rill 2, at everylast fourth of the bricklength.

The half-block unit l -h'as only onchble 5 in the half'of its length, also'alongits center line,

3 By this aa'iangeinent, the holes or perforations b, owing to the superposition of the blocks form continuous vertical canals in which is inserted the vertical reinforccmeht 6 of the wall, said reiuforcei'nent consisting of metal rods orbars of suitable' length.

It will be seen that the section of thevertical holes is larger than the cross-section of the metal rods 6 this is intended to facilitate the insertionof long rods 6 in: said holes.

The binding material 4:, entering the holes 5, constitutes even when the vertical reinforcement is dispensed with, an, anchorage for the superposited bricks, by the production, in. each hole, of a projecting nose of binding material which adheres with the next under-laying brick. The binding material at laid in the horizontal groove of the blocks has the same effect as regards the superposited layers of blocks. I

lVith reference to Fig. 4, the block 1., therein illustrated, is much wider than the plane block-unit and ends in a tail correspondi ug to one half of a block-unit; said tail. is perforated with a vertical hole located at the same place as in the half block-unit 1 In its wider part. the block 1" is bored with two vertical holes intended to receive the metalrcinforcement.

Said block 1 is used together with the strengthening l'ialf-blocks 1 which are somewhat less wide than the half width of block 1 and have the same length as the latter. i

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the manner of using said blocks 1 and 1 for two successive layers. The block-units 1 are superposited on blocks 1 and the tails of blocks 1 are used as half-blocks for obtaining the usual alternating vertical joint. By their superposition, the blocks 1 and 1 constitute a reinforced strengthening of the wall.

\Vith reference to Figs. 8 and 9, the blocks 1" and l are illustrated as parts of a corner wall. The blocks 1" are juxtaposited alternately with one block 1 towards one of the panes of the *all and with one towards the other pane.

Other con'ibinations and applications of the block-units l half-blocks 1 and strengthening blocks .1. and 1 are possible, but fall of course within the scope of the present invention. Similarly it shall be noted thatthe alternative bilateral arrangement of the reinforcement vertical rods will have as result the formation of a Zone of higher resistance on both sides of the median-plane ot the wall. This is of great advantage when the blocks are used for the erection of walls subject to a horizontal or oblique thrust directed against one or the other side of the wall.

From the foregoing it will be seen that blocks such as described can be used, by modifying their size or section (for instance by givinw same a curved section) for erecting building-walls, tanks, pillars, chimneys, and the like. which will then form a compact whole, reinforced as required both in vertical and horizontal direction.

The manufacture of such blocks present no special technical difiicultyr-samc can be manufactured with the usual brick-presses provided with suitable means for obtaining the perforations 5 and groove 2.

I claim:

1. A building structure of the character described, comprising a plurality of blocks each including a body provided along one longitudinal contacting edge with a groove and with vertical openings arranged in staggered relation on opposite sides of the groove, longitudinal and vertical reinforcing wires receivable in the grooves and openings of adjacent blocks, cement-itious binding material for anchoring the rods in the blocks and the blocks together, substantially as and for the purposes set forth,

2. A building block as claimed in claim 1. wherein the longitudinal groove is arranged medially between the inner and outer faces of the body of each block, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In a building structure, a plurality of blocks each of which are longitudinally grooved on one engaging edge and are provided on opposite sides of said grooves with vertical openings positioned in staggered relation, reinforcing rods anchored in said grooves and openings. the ends of certain of said blocks being reduced to its vertical longitudinal median plane and said reduced portion being enlarged in oblong form in cross-section. the ends of certain other blocks being enlarged in T-shape formation in cross-section for contacting engagement with the first mentioned enlarged blocks the enlarged portions of said blocks being also apertured, and reinforcing rods anchored therein.

In testimony wherot I have signed my name to this specification.

RAOUL TEPPE. 

